Friday, March 28, 2008

I am new to Austin...well new to Texas actually. We just relocated from New York. The Northeast has a lot of breweries, some great, some blah. Here in Texas I have found that while there are not huge number of breweries, what we do have are really good (Real Ale, Live Oak, St. Arnold, etc...). And the number is growing.

A few of the up-and-comers:

512 Brewing Co.I stopped by the other day and things are coming along. Check the blog for updates and pictures.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Last weekend we spent the weekend in Brownsville, TX, a less than stellar beer destination. My wife's sister was getting married and much of the family was coming from around the US. I sent out an email request about a week before the wedding. Beer–Bring Beer! Please! I was hoping for some Lost Abbey from the San Diego cousins, but that was a lost cause. A cuz from Chicago came through strong though, sending a nice array of Goose Island beers. Most notably - the Bourbon County Brand Stout.

When I got home I noticed one of the Stouts was missing. Then later on I received this text message:

If you ever want to see your beer again... Have 3.1 million pesos deposited to my account by morning ... No funny stuff either or i will kill the hostage...

Monday, March 24, 2008

Whilst shopping at HEB today, I found many beers on sale. Dogfish Head beers were 8.99. Seeing this I swiped up a 60 Min IPA. I probably should have picked up an Indian Brown Ale or RaisonD'Etre, but I went with the 60 Min like I always do. Stupid stupid stupid, but so very happy.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

This has probably been talked about it many posts, but it's probably a good one to rehash every once in awhile.

What was the beer that helped you make the conversion to good beer? For me it was Brooklyn Lager. I drank some good beers here and there and appreciated them, but I never really got it until I started moved to Brooklyn and started drinking in and around Park Slope. One of my favorite bars was the Gate and my go to beer was Brooklyn Lager. So I guess it was really a combination of a solid beer and a solid beer bar. Living a block from the Gate certainly helped.

Also, who have you turned on to good beer? For me it's a lot of my family. First it was my wife. It was hard for her to resist. She would many times ask me to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner and I would show up with a sixer of Brooklyn, Dogfish, Stoudts, etc. She really had no choice. Convert or die I guess. Among other converts: my sister, multiple cousins, some friends and my mom.

I can't remember where I first heard about this, but I was remineded of it today after skimming the I Love Beer blog:

The 2nd Annual Great Austin Belgian Beer Festival:

Saturday April 5 Noon-7pm

Zax Pints and Plates 312 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX

Tickets now available: $22adv/$25 at the door (advance tickets available only at Zax)

Entitles you to a tasting glass and your first 6 4 oz. samples of over 30 of the most amazing, remarkable and historical beers in the world. Additional samples will be available for purchase for $3 each.

Food is not included, but our normal menu will be available.

Discount hotel packages available at the Embassy Suites. Just mention the festival or follow this link.

BROOKLYN, NY, BREWERY RELEASES ONE-TIME ONLY CREATION IN NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS TO QUENCH THIRSTY PALATES DURING FIVE-WEEK PRIMARY BREAK

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (MARCH 10, 2008) - Sixpoint Craft Ales today announced the release of the "Hop Obama" ale in both New York State and Massachusetts. Beginning next week, all supporters of the democratic process will be able to hoist a glass of this limited-edition beer that was brewed in tribute to the inspiration that has been Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The beer will be available in finer bars and restaurants for a limited time throughout both states. It is expected that the beer will only last for the duration of the Democratic primary hiatus, which begins Wednesday, March 12 and extends through April 22.

In keeping with the Illinois senator's unifying theme, the "Hop Obama" is an indefinable ale that doesn't adhere to traditional style guidelines. The 5.2% ABV creation contains five different kinds of European crystal malt and three different kinds of Pacific Northwest Hops. Combined with a Scottish yeast strain for fermentation, the result is a highly drinkable beer with a big malt background and an "Obama" of hops that imparts floral and citrus notes with just a hint of spiciness.

"The Hop Obama is our unique Sixpoint creation brewed in honor of the inspirational surgency of Senator Barack Obama," said Sixpoint brewmaster Shane Welch. "Although we do not intend this beer to be a direct Sixpoint endorsement of Obama, we believe the delicious and refreshing quality it represents reminds us of the Senator's successful grassroots campaign that positively blossoms each and every day."

All Sixpoint Craft Ales are unpasteurized and unfiltered and brewed in small, 15-barrel batches using predominantly domestic hops, European malts, a special house yeast, and 100% New York City tap water.